The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-07-22
TIE PRESIDENT At CLINTON.

-
Powell, OF this pla q:
ON by no means certain Of my standing
here among those who celebrate the centeu-
NAL Of Clinton's existence - village. My re-
collections Of the place reach backward Dat
about thirty-six years, and my residence COW
cred . very brief period, but those rccollec-
tons are fresh and distinct to-day and pleasant
too, though not entirely free from sombre
coloring II was here In the school At the foot
Of College Hill that began my preparations
for college life, and enjoyed the anticipation
Of . collegiate education. We had two teachers
in our school: cne became afterward . Judge
in Chicago, and the other passed through the
legal profession TO the N nistry, and within
the last two years WAS living farther West
read little Latin with two other boys IN the
class think fioundered through four books
Of Eneid. The other boys had nice modern
editions Of Virgil, with big print and plenty oil
notes TO help one over hard places. Mine Wa
. little, old-fashioned copy, which my father
used before me, with no notes, and II was only
translated by hard knocks. I believe
have forgiven those other boys for their
persistent refusal to allow me the use Of
the notes in their books Al any rate, they do
not seem TO have been overtaken by any dire
retribution, for one Of them Is now rich and
prosperous lawyer in Buffalo. and the other Q
professor IN your college and the orator Of TO-
which at first made up my daily task, are anus
ing as remembered now. But with them am
also forced to remember that instead of being
the beginning of higher education, for which
honestly longed, they occurred near the end OF
my school advantages This suggests dtsar'
pointment which no lapse of time con alleviate,
and . deprivation have sadly felt with
every passing year. remember BenOni But
Ter and his store. don't know whetherh he was
1utv H,,ar nH H,,N han i'm
poem of his own manufacture, which en-
bodied an account Of q travel to or from Gin
ton in the early days. I can recall but two
lines Of II, as follows:
paris hill next came in sight,
"And there We tarried over night"
I remember the next door neighbofs. Drs.
Bassett and Scotland. and good. kind doctors
they were too-not your cross, grabbed kind
who could not bear to see q boy about. 1t al
ways seemed to me that they drove very fine
horses. and for that reason thought they must
he extremely rich. don't know that should
indulge In further recollections that must seem
like centennial istory: but want to establish
as well as can my right to be here. I might
speak Of the college faculty who cast such
pleasing, though sober. dignity over
the place and who watch over education, and OF
substantial citizens who made up the best Of
social life. I was q boy then, but believe
absorbed lasting appreciation Of the intelli-
gence. refinement and good which made this
delightful home. hope you will bear with me,
my friends, II I yield to impulses which the
mention Of home creates: il 1 speak Of nv own
home here. and how tender memories cluster
about it. may claim tender relationship to
your village. Here 1t was that our family
circle entire, parents and children, lived
day after day in a1ectionate converse,
and here for the last time we met around the
family altar and thanked God that or family
was unbrokcn by death and separation. We
never met in our own after leaving this one. for
death followed closely our departure, and thus
1t is that through advancing years I survey the
havoc death has made and thoughts OF my early
home become more sacred. The remembrance
OF this pleasant spot, so related, is revived and
chastened. I can only add my thanks for the
privilege Of being with you TO-DAY, and wish
for the village OF Clinton in the future con-
tinuaton and increase Of the blessings Of the
past.
Following came banquet in the freight
house, at which several gentlemen re.
sponded to toasts, including Mr.. Cleve.
land. who spoke to "The President Of the
United States'' as follows:
lam inclined to content myself on this coca
sion with an acknowledgment on behalf Of the
people Of the United States Of the compli
ment which you have paid TO the Office which
represents their sovereignty. But such an ac
Acknowledgement suggests an idea which car
not refrain dwelling upon for moment: thai
the sovereignty OF sixty millions Of people is
to my mind statement full Of solemnity: fol
this sovereignty 1 conceive to be the working
out or enforcement Of the divine gift &c
man to govern himself and Of a manifestation
Of Gods plans concerning the human race.
Though the struggles Of political parties &c
secure the incumbency of this Office and the
questionable methods sometimes resorted &c
for its possession, may not be in keeping with
this idea. and though the deceit practiced tc
mislead the people in their choice, and its toe
frequent influence in their suffrage may sur
prise us. these things should never lead US
astray in our estimate Of his exalted position,
ana its value and dignity. and though your fel
low citizens who my be chosen TO perform FOL
a time the duties OF this highest place should
be badly selected, and though the
best attainable result may moi
be reached by his administration.
yet the exacting watchfulness of the people.
freed from the disturbing turmoil OF political
excitement ought to prevent mischance to the
Office which represents their sovereignty, anG
should reduce to o minimum the danger Of
harm to the State. by no means underesti
mate the importance Of the utmost care ant
in the selection Of the in
cumbept On the contrary, believe there is nc
obligation Of citizenship that demands more
thought and conscientious deliberation thar
this; hut am speaking Of the citizens duties
to the ONCE and its selected
This duty is only performed
when the interests of the entire people, the
full exercise Of the powers Of the chief magis
tracy Is insisted on, and when for the peoples
safety due regard for the limitations placed
upon the Office is exactcd These things sh uld
have been forced by the manifestations of o |
calm and enlightened public opinion: but this
should not be stimulated by the mad clamor OF
interests, which, without regard
for the general good, or allowance
for the exercise OF oficial judgment
would degrade the Office by forcing compliance
with selfish demands. II your President shoul6
not be Of the people and Of your fellow citizens.
he would be utterly unfit for the position, in |
capable Of understanding the peoples wants |
and careless Of their desires. That he is one |
Of the people implies that he is subject &c |
human frailty and error: but he should be per |
mitted to claim but little federation for mis- |
lakes. The generosity Of his fellow citizens
should alone decree how far good inten |
lions should excuse his shortcomings. |
Watch we'll. then, this high ONCE, the most pre- |
,ious possession OF American citizenship. De
nand for il the most complete devotion on the |
part of him to whose custody IL may be in |
trusted, and protect il not less violently from |
assaults from without. Thus will |
ron perform sacred duty to yourselves and /
% those who may follow you in the enjoyment
If the freest institutions which Heaven has
.ver vouchsafed to man.
A New Scheme.
WASHINGTON. July 14-The fact that
here is no Geographic communication be-